Renaissance costumes

After a devastating house fire, the kids wanted to go home, so we decided to rebuild. We loved our neighborhood, and they wanted to stay in their school. I had beautiful rose gardens, herb gardens, and apple trees my husband and I had worked on for decades. I just couldn't leave.

I was faced with a 100 year old stone shell to rebuild in any decor I wanted. My problem was I liked everything. Traditional, ultra contemporary, Asian , Louis 1v , renaissance, I loved them all. I had 4 bathrooms and 2 kitchens to do as well as a deck and a patio to create from scratch. A self taught, do it your self amateur, I was faced with unlimited choices, and a tight budget in which to create the home of my dreams. I decided to let everyone have their input, but I was going to have a Tudor styled bathroom, named "the Queen's Bath. " My theme for inspiration was 2 ceramic tile portraits Of Queen Elizabeth, and her ill fated cousin Mary queen of Scots. I had bought these for $30 on ebay.

I started dressing my bathroom in layers. I imagined a gorgeous Tudor gown, and interpreted the layers of the dress as a room.

First the marble floors, and matching countertops.These I installed with heated flooring so the floor was always warm. Instead of vanities, we used dark mahogany kitchen cabinets with crystal hardware.

The next layer was color. Gold, green, and terra-cotta in the marble floors and counter tops was my color palette. Green paint for the walls, and decorative gold paint for the woodwork and doors. The accents were the key. I dressed my bathroom with Tudor clothes type fabric, medieval touches, and Renaissance style. Damasks, tassels, and beaded valances improved the richness if the space. The plumbing hardware was 24k gold plated, and the door handles were victorian style brass.
Luxury accoutrements included gold mirrored medicine chests, a green heated air tub, with a matching round green sink, and a gorgeous tile shower with seating, accented with the same green listello.

The lighting was the next layer. Matching chandelier, sconces, and a flush ceiling fixture, completed the tudor/renaissance design for the last touches of http://www.wheaton.edu/my tudor get a way.

The final layer was luxury, so the space evolved into a spa, with heated towels, beautiful art reproductions, and a tapestry of a french garden, my own paraffin wax machine, and a waterproof telephone. The sunken bath is equipped with a roman set complete with spray attachment for cleaning my sumptuous tub. Of course, the toilet had to be separate for privacy, and that's where the portraits found their home.

Using layers of color, texture, lighting, and art, I created a private luxurious haven, for the Lady of the manor. Many of these touches were selected online. Renaissance clothing and accessories, found on various websites offered a host of choices. Tudor accents, fabric, hardware, and fixtures were helpful ideas found on sites with costumes and jewelry.

The Queens became the perfect theme, and the modern conveniences gave me the bathroom fit for a royal lady. I didn't need ladies in waiting to heat my bath water, that's where the Tudor times ended and the 21st century replaced the privy closet with modern plumbing. My window overlooking the garden is hung with a stained glass panel, for privacy, and makes for a lovely focal point when the sun shines through.

If you're interested in period clothes, historical style, and modern comfort, this is an easy to do project. Hardware, art, and lighting will easily convert any space into a classic luxury oasis fit for Queen. In case one needs more privacy, a gold door leads to a matching dressing room, decorated with a matching marble center island, mahogany cabinets, and a combination lock for security!